1. Just Ask
There are always people who are willing to volunteer to help. All you have to do is ask.
2. Be Prepared
Nothing will kill the passion of a volunteer faster than to arrive at a volunteer event and find the staff not prepared. Have the materials and venue ready for the volunteers well in advance of their arrival.
3. Be Organized
Thoroughly organize your volunteer activities so that you can make best use of their time. If volunteers find themselves standing around without anything to do, they will quickly leave and not come back.
4. Delegate
Don’t be afraid to ask a volunteer to help prepare and organize the volunteer event
5. Communicate
Communicate the volunteer event well in advance and then send a reminder. E-Mail is your most efficient form of communication. Even though your branch is not set up on e-mail, start accumulating E-mail addresses now!
6. Know your Volunteers
Know which volunteers you can count on. Then, know all volunteers names at an event. Use name tags if necessary.
7. Involve your Staff
Make your staff part of all volunteer events. It is good for the volunteers to see the staff participating and good for the staff to be a part of the event.
8. Involve your Board
The Board should be your best source of volunteers and leadership. Use them.
9. Involve the Family
For major volunteers events, have activities planned for the spouses and children.
10. Feed the Volunteers
Solicit donations from local food sources. Pastry and Juice in the morning, a simple lunch at noon.
11. Recognize the Volunteers
A simple thank you goes a long way. Acknowledge the volunteer’s contribution in your newsletter, on the bulletin board, in the board minutes, or with a short note signed by you and the Board Chairperson.
12. Form Volunteer Councils
For each of your major programs, form a volunteer council. This council will then provide the volunteer leadership for that particular program.